Tanzanian recording and performing artist Sharif Said Juma, widely recognized as Jay Melody, has announced his decision to step away from his musical career. This marks the second instance that the 'Sugar' hitmaker has chosen to leave the entertainment industry.
Jay Melody conveyed this news to his fans and followers through a post on his Instagram stories, leaving people with more questions than answers.
"I quit music," the 'Nampenda' hitmaker casually posted on a blank black canvas on his stories accompanying the caption with the clasped hands (prayer hands) emoji.
The unexpected announcement left fans scratching their heads as the Tanzanian artist did not provide any additional information following his Instagram post.
Nevertheless, there are skeptics who remain unconvinced that Jay is genuinely abandoning his career, especially when it seemed to be gaining momentum again. Some believe he might be seeking attention, suggesting that he could be engaging in a publicity stunt to garner attention for a project he is currently working on.
Interestingly, this isn't the first occasion on which Jay has walked away from the music scene, despite the significant effort he has invested in realizing his talent.
The Bongo artist faced rejection three times when attempting to secure a spot at Tanzania House of Talent. It was only after randomly signing up for an audition that he finally got an opportunity to showcase his skills.
In 2019, Jay took a hiatus from producing music for approximately a year and a half. The artist, who had initially worked in construction (Mjengo) before his breakthrough, paused his musical pursuits due to financial constraints following the death of his mentor, the late Ruge Mutahaba.
In a previous interview, Jay disclosed that after Ruge's passing, he encountered difficulties securing shows, covering studio expenses, and managing other financial obligations. Faced with mounting bills, he made the difficult decision to relinquish his dream and return to being a manual laborer at construction sites.
Commencing his musical journey at a young age, the 26-year-old artist felt the need to establish himself as a successful businessman first. He held the belief that without connections, navigating Tanzania's music industry would prove challenging.
"People started knowing me as a song writer first, I have done songs like, Hallelujah, Njiwa for Willy Paul, and Ndata for Nadia Mukami," he said in a previous interview adding that he did not release the songs himself since he was still young in the industry and he knew they might flop.
